Weird Nature 14 Deadly Animals That Prove Australia Is The Scariest Place On Earth

Australia is home to perhaps more deadly animals than any other country in the world. This might because it has such a diverse geography ranging from the harsh Outback to snow-capped mountains. There are deadly Australian animals of all kinds - ranging from poisonous snakes to horrifying jellyfish.

Australia is known for its crazy animals - thanks to people like Steve Irwin. And while this list includes all the animals in Australia that can kill you, don't worry. Most visitors of the country won't come into contact with these animals. They tend to live in harsh areas or off the more than 22,000 miles of coast. But sometimes the poisonous animals of Australia venture into populated areas, or bite people who wander into their turf.

Not all the animals in Australia can kill you, but there are certainly enough to make you think twice and look carefully, should you venture to a "dunny" (Australian slang for outhouse) or straight into the Outback.

The delicate looking box jellyfish appears harmless. And yet, it is the absolute deadliest, most venomous marine animal on the planet. All over and through their bodies are pockets of poison called nematocysts, which act like poison darts. People and animals who receive their sting suffer serious consequences, such as paralysis, cardiac arrest, and sometimes death. And these symptoms can happen in just a few minutes.

The box jellyfish name comes from their body shape, and some of them grow to 10 feet long (including tentacles) and one foot in diameter. They are found in the warmer waters of the world, but the most poisonous varieties dwell in the Northern Territory of Australia, and along the Western Australian coast.

In addition to being poisonous, the box jellyfish has another valuable skill. It moves very quickly through the water and can swim up to four knots per hour. The box jellyfish is exceptional to other jellyfish in this way, since other jellies simply float along with the tide. The box jellyfish is large and in charge, so look out if you are swimming in one of their territories.

Hidden Danger In The Sydney Funnel Web Spider

The Sydney funnel web spider is named for its overwhelmingly preferred habitat location - Sydney. These poisonous spiders are found in and all around the major city, and around the New South Wales coastline, but they rarely venture beyond that. It is considered the most deadly spider in Australia.

Their official, scientific name is Atrax robustus, which describes of the spider's stocky build. It is a very sturdy, robust spider, and the male of the species has spurs on its legs. It is also highly poisonous, and a bite from the Sydney funnel web spider may prove lethal. Just as its name suggests, this spider builds a funnel style web, which is helpful in luring prey into the spider's den. As with most spider species, the male is much smaller and unfortunately, lives a shorter life.

The Australian saltwater crocodile looms large in Western legend and culture. These big guys are extremely powerful. Their large jaws are full of sharp teeth, and they are the largest reptiles in the world. Some of them weigh more than 2,000 pounds.

The male of the species is extremely aggressive and territorial, so even innocent bystanders are subject to attack. It is always a good idea to speak with local experts before stepping into any water that may be in a crocodile's territory. Fatalities from Australian crocodile attacks are not that common, usually because people steer clear of their territory. One human death is reported every two or three years.

The blue-ringed octopus is very pretty. But don't let that fool you. The tiny blue-ringed octopus is one of the most poisonous animals in the world. It makes its home all around the coastal regions of Australia, and around the Pacific to Japan. Because it loves the security and food opportunities found in tidal pools, humans regularly come into contact with it.

Like a number of animals, it won't seek out a human, but if it is disturbed or stepped on, disaster can happen. There is no known antidote, and if bitten, death can occur in minutes. In fact, this tiny, innocent looking animal packs enough venom to kill 26 human adults in mere minutes.

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